Gas range



June 7, 1960 G. w. KAMlN 2,939,453

GAS RANGE Filed Dec. 5, 1956' 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 I gj g;izif

/N VE N TOR 4 BY/@ M ATTORNE June 7, 1960 G. w. KAMIN GAS RANGE Filed Dec. 5, 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTORNE United States Patent GAS RANGE George w. Kamin, Lombard, 111., assignor to Cribben illlllrd Sexton Company, Chicago, llL, a corporation of 1no1s' Filed Dec. 5, 1956, Ser.'No. 626,503

6 Claims. (Cl. 126-214) This invention relates to an improvement in a gas range, and, more particularly, to an improvement in the operating area in a gas range.

My invention has particular application to a type of gas range known as a counter unit. This type of range is becoming increasingly popular in contemporary housing where emphasis is placed on efiicient kitchen arrangement. When a gas range is incorporated into a counter surface, or for that matter, a wall surface so as to serve both the aesthetic and functional purposes characteristic of modern housing, several problems arise that were not present in the conventional installation of a gas range along one wall of a kitchen. Not only does the gas range of my invention solve these new problems, but at the same time it avoids a vexing problem present in the older type of gas range.

The vexing problem to which I have referred concerns the control knobs of the gas range. conventionally, these knobs are positioned on the front vertical surface of the range casing or are on the top surface and protrude above the burner surface and hence are subject to several disadvantages. Two of these disadvantages appear most prominently during the operation of the gas range; The control knobs, because they protrude, can be inadvertently bumped with the result that the flame setting is changed and, if they are bumped by a pot or the like, the contents may be spilled with attendant difficulties in cleaning up.

' Even though these knobs protrude in the air when mounted on the top surface, a second problem arises in the fact that after the burner with which they are associated has been ignited for a period these control knobs become untouchably hot. These problems are intensified in the case of a counter unit where the only exposed surface is the top surface which contains the burners and must perforce contain the control knobs. Since this type of unit is especially intended for use in a streamlined kitchen, it is of compact arrangement and hence, the problem of undue heating of the control knobs is seriously aggravated. Having the knobs on the top surface presents a ready obstacle to the free movement of pots and pans to and from the burner units which increases the chance of bumping and hence unsightly spillage.

- The very compactness of the counter unit and its intended installation bring about another problem which involves the provision of combustion air. Previously a gas range being more or less out in the open could have an access port for combustion air at any area in the casing deemed suitable by the manufacturer. This however is not possible in the counter unit since it is more or less.

completely enclosed except for the top surface.

It is therefore an object of my invention to provide a' new and improved gas rangeJ Another object is to provide an improved burner and control arrangement for a gas range. Yet another object is to provide the burner and control arrangement in the top surface of a gas range. Another object is to provide an improved gas range which overcomes the aforementioned diifi culties and problems.

opening in counter. As will be appreciated as this.

Other objects and advantages of my invention will appear as this specification proceeds.

Essentially my invention includes the provision of recessed controls in a gas range. In one embodiment of my invention I provide these recessed controls in a well having vent means associated therewith which permits the introduction of combustion air and at the same time main-- tains the knobs in a touchably cool condition. By com-- bining the two above features I provide a gas range which is eminently suited for the counter type construction found so desirable in contemporary housing. The above men-- tioned elements can be combined along with the burner units into the top surface of a gas range casing to provide an eye-appealing yet distinctively functional unit. A: the same time this arrangement eliminates the need for expensive metal working on the casing which was characteristic of both the old style gas range and previously employed counter units. The elimination of such work contributes: materially toward reducing the cost of such a unit, hence making it available to more homemakers. In the case of the modern counter unit one advantage achieved by my invention cannot be overemphasized, this relating to the safety achievable thereby. In providing a gas range unit constructed according to the teachings of my invention, messy spillage is avoided that might result in a persons slipping and falling. The control arrangement also prevents injury to children. By providing the controls recessed in the top surface, they are not ordinarily within the range of vision of a child so as to tempt him to manipulate them with possible injury to himself. They are also fairly inaccessible so that if the child has the idea of playing with'the controls even without seeing them, it is a more difficult feat to perform.

My invention will be explained in conjunction with the accompanying drawing in which Fig. 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of a contemporary kitchen featuring a counter type range unit constructed according to the teaching of my invention; Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the range unit of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional View taken along the line 3-3 of Fig. 2.; and Fig. 4 is a second crosssectional view of Fig. 2 taken along the line 44 thereof.

Referring now to the drawing and in particular Fig. l, the numeral 10 generally designates a counter type range unit. Range 10 is shown installed flush with the top surface of counter 11 which also includes sink 12 and front wall 13 which accommodates door-s 14. Disposed above range 10 and suspended from a kitchen wall or ceiling is exhaust hood 15.

The foregoing environmental description is given for cleamess of understanding only and is not intended to be a limitation on the scope of my invention. It is to be appreciated that consistent with contemporary kitchen design range 10 might be recessed in a wall, either permanently or removably so;

In Figure 1, the numeral 16 designates a spider-like grate support element and the numeral 16a designates a pan supported on the top wall 16b of the casing generally designated 17; 'In atwo burner range, two grates and pans are usually employed. One grate and pan set is omitted from Figure l to show the portion of the easing which supports the pan and grate.

Referring now to Fig. 2 which is a top plan view of the range unit, shown in Fig. 1 but without spider grates 16 and pans 16a present thereon, it is to be noted that range unit 10 includes a generally rectangular box-like casing 17. Casing 17 is provided with a laterally extending lip 18 which lies in the plane of the top surface of casing 17 and which can be seen more clearly in Fig. 3 and 4. Flange or lip 18 provides a convenient support element for suspending casing 17 within a rectangular specification proceeds, the amount of carpentry work and other labor involved in the installation of the range unit of my invention is minimal. For example, the cut-out of the counter is the only carpentry work tobe done by the contractor in installing the gas range of my invention. Casing 17, except for the top surface, can be considered a solid, there being no vents provided therein. The only substantial interruption to the smooth side and bottom walls of casing 17 is an opening provided in the bottom Wall (as pictured in Fig. 3) permitting entry of gas supply line 19. This, then, represents the only additional work to be done by the contractor in installing the gas range of my invention. It consists of connecting gas supply line 19 to a suitable source of gas. Referring to Figs 2 and 4, drop trays 20 can be observed which are removably mounted on the bottom. of casing 17 and maintained in place by a ridge 21 provided; in the bottom of casing 17.

Referring again to Fig. 2 it is to be noted that the top surface of casing 17 includes two gas burners 22 and a control knob area 23 which contains the contral knobs associated with gas burners 22. This can be seen in perspective in Fig. 1. In one construction of my invention I provide one burner thermostatically controlled and one burner having a conventional manually operated control. In Fig. 2 the control on the left is the thermostatic control and is designated 24 which is also shown in cross-sectionin Fig. 4. The manually oper ated control knob is seen in Figs. 1 and 2 and is designated25.

Referring now to Fig. 4 thermostatically operated burner 22 is shown connected to agas. supply line.19 by means of a pipe composed of sections 26 and. 26a..- Inter-conneeted between the pipe composed'of. sections 26 and 26a and supply line 19 is. thermostatically actuated valve 27 shown in only partial. section. The stem. 27a ofvalve 27- provides the means for mounting control knob 24. Adjacent the inter-connection ofvalve 27 and the. pipe composed of sections 26 and. 2611 are primary combusion air openings28.

Air for mixing with the gas. flowing in a pipe composed of sections 26 and 26a enters. through openings 28 after passing-through the top surface of casting 17. For. this purpose, top casing. 17. is provided. with a Well or recessed portion 29 for control knob area 23. The side walls of well. 29 are perforated to permit entry of combustion air as indicated by the arrowsin Figs. 3 and 4'. At thesametime, control knobs 24 and are completely received in well 29. so that. there is no pro? tuberance in the top surface of. casing 17. Notonly does.

the air entering through the opening 30 in the walls of well 29 provide the primary combustion air entering openings 28 but also the secondary combustion air which flows out of casing 17 around burners 22.

The substantial advantages of my invention can be appreciated from a consideration of the comparison tests set forth in the example below.

Example For the purpose of determining the. operational characteristics of a gas range constructed. in accordance with my invention and comparing the same with'a unit not embodying the salient features, I constructed two units each having a top surface having a major dimension of about 20 inches and a minor dimension of about 14 inches. The depth of the casing was'slightly under 7 inches.

The top surface of each casing was provided with an opening 31 for burners 22 that was about 18 /2 inches long by 9 inches wide. Associated with each opening wereledges 32 that extended inwardly to receive the pan 16a and grates 16. In one unit I provided an opening 29aabout 10 inches long by 3 incheswide into which-I removably fitted. a tray having a depth of about 1% 4 inches and control knobs 24 and 25. The other unit had control knobs 24 and 25 mounted in a protruding fashion above the top surface of casing 17 by extending through small circular openings in a conventional manner.

The unit having the protruding knobs was provided at additional cost with an air entry opening in one of the side walls of casing 17. There was no extra cost involved in providing the opening for receiving well 29 since this opening could be punched at the same time that the opening for burners 22 was provided.

On each unit I placed a 10 inch diameter pot filled with water and heated'the same to a boiling temperature, maintaining it at about boiling for one hour. After that period of heating the protruding control knob was found to be untouchably hot while the recessed control knob was comfortably cool to the touch.

The above described construction permits another advantage to be achieved through the use of my invention. This is derived from the fact that well 29 is supported on the top surface of casing 17 in a manner similar to the support of casing 17 itself on counter 11. Controlknobs 24 and 25- are removably mounted on the valve stem associated with the control valves so the entire well assembly is: removable for cleaning. In other words, knobs 24vand- 25 can be conveniently removed from their mounting on the valve stems after which well 29 can be lifted out of' its support on casing 17 for washing. Furthermore, the two'openings through which the valve stems extend into well 29 provide convenient finger gripping. apertures for the removal of well 29. The entire unit. of my invention is readily cleanable since drip trays 20- are removable from casing 17 through the larger opening 31 in the top surface of casing 17 which accommodates burners 22. Top removal of drip trays 20' permitsthe construction of a much shallower casing, fur-- ther contributing to the low cost of construction of the range of my invention and to the ease with which it canbe installed inv a modern carefully designed kitchen.

Although I have shown and described a range having. two burners it is to be understood that gas ranges having. other numbers of burnerscan be constructed in the practice of my invention.

The foregoing detail'ed description has been given for clearness of understanding only and no unnecessary limitations are tobe inferred therefrom.

I claim:

1. In a gas range, a box-like casing equipped with a top wall having a plurality of burner openings and a control 'knobopening, therein, gas supply conduit means mounted in saidcasing and terminating in burners positionedin each of said burner openings, a plurality of control valves in said conduit means and each equippedwith a stem, a recessed tray mounted in said control knob' opening; and having aplurality of openings in the bottom thereof permitting. the stems of said valves to extendtherethrough, a control knob on each of said stems and positioned Withinsaid tray below said top wall, at least one of the sidewalls of saidtray having air port means therein, said conduit means being equipped with openings for the entrance of primary combustion air below said air port means, the tray thus being interposed between said control knobs. and-said burners with the remainder of said'casing being: substantially imperforate except for anopening for supplying gas to said conduit means, whereby air for combustion passes about said knob and through the air port means in said tray in reaching said burners.

2. In agas range, a box-likec'asing equipped with-a topwall' having a burner opening and a control knob opening therein, gas supply conduit means mounted in said casing and terminating in a burner positioned in said burner opening, a control valve in said conduit means and equipped with astem; a recessed tray'mounted insaid control knob opening and having an opening in the bottom thereof permitting the stem of said valve to extend therethrough, a control knob on said stem and positioned within said tray below the said top wall, at least one of the side walls of said tray having air port mean therein, said conduit means being equipped with openings for the entrance of primary combustion air below said air port means, the tray thus being interposed between said control knob and said burner, with the remainder of said casing being substantially imperforate except for an opening for supplying gas to said conduit means, whereby air for combustion passes about said knob and through the air port means in said tray in reaching said burner.

3. In a top burner gas range unit, a box-like casing, a plurality of burner openings in the top wall of said casing, a gas burner positioned in each of said top wall burner openings, gas supply conduit means mounted in said casing and communicating with each of said burners, said gas supply conduit means being equipped with openings for the entrance of primary combustion air, a stemequipped control valve for each burner in said gas supply conduit means for regulating the flames issuing from said burners, an additional opening in the top wall providing means for mounting a recessed tray, a recessed tray positioned in said additional opening and having openings in the bottom wall thereof, the stems of said valves extending through said tray bottom wall openings, control knobs on said stems, and air vent means in at least some of the walls of said recessed tray, the remainder of said casing being substantially closed except for an opening for said gas supply conduit means to enter said casing, said tray being interposed between said control knobs and said gas supply conduit means openings, whereby combustion air for said burners entering said casing through said air vent means necessarily flows about said control knobs to cool the same.

4. The structure of claim 3 in which said additional opening is adjacent one side of said casing whereby said 6. casing may be oriented in a counter top to position said control valves adjacent the front edge of a counter.

5. Ina top burner gas range for counter mounting, or the like, a generally box-like casing having top, bottom and side walls integrated to prevent entrance of air into said casing except through openings provided in said walls, an opening in one of said walls other than said top wall,

1 a gas conduit extending through said opening and attached to the interior of said casing, said conduit carrying a burner at its inner end with said burner being positioned below said top wall, an enlarged opening in said top wall about said burner, a valve in said conduit adjacent a side wall of said casing, and primary combustion air openings in said conduit adjacent said valve, said valve being equipped with an upwardly-extending stem, a depressed well portion in said top wall, said stem extending through an opening in said depressed well portion and equipped with a knob substantially below said top wall and in said well portion, and a plurality of air entrance openings in said well portion about said knob, said air entrance openings providing flow passages for combustion air entering said casing.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,127,306 Starr Feb. 2, 1915 1,931,334 Teller et al Oct. 17, 1933 2,013,802 Hobson Sept. 10, 1935 2,177,193 Watts Oct. 24, 1939 2,233,463 Wilson Mar. 4, 1941 2,237,795 Shroyer Apr. 8, 1941 2,476,756 Mosher et a] July 19, 1949 2,560,959 Klein July 17, 1951 2,566,440 Beynon Sept. 4, 1951 2,712,818 Chambers July 12, 1955 2,715,173 Farquharson Aug. 9, 1955 2,764,968 Shuster Oct. 2, 1956 2,773,165 Konrad Dec. 4, 1956 2,806,464 Williams et a1 Sept. 17, 1957 2,846,558 Mason Aug. 5, 1958 

